2027 Best Special Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Special Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 106 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best special education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Special Education in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Special Education
No school ranked higher than University Of Maryland College Park this year for special education. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 special education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $67,390 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
Get the full special education details for University Of Maryland College Park
Fordham University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 51 special education degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their special education degree from Fordham University earn around $71,684 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643.
Read more about the special education program at Fordham University
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #3. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 35 special education degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $68,814. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full special education program report for Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #4 makes Towson University one of the top schools for special education. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 209 special education students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Towson University earn around $59,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Towson University
Adelphi University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in special education, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 41 special education students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $67,573 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,487.
Get the full special education details for Adelphi University
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 44 special education students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $64,297 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
More information about a degree in special education from Rutgers University New Brunswick
Gannon University came in at #7 for special education this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 14 special education degrees were awarded at Gannon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans.
More information about a degree in special education from Gannon University
Pace University New York came in at #8 for special education this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Pace University New York awarded about 88 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Pace University New York earn around $70,803 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full special education program report for Pace University New York
George Washington University landed the #9 spot for special education this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 25 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $68,902 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at George Washington University
The College Of New Jersey ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 138 special education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $64,759. Students borrow a median of $25,228 to complete this degree.
See the full special education program report for The College Of New Jersey
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for special education this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 94 special education students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in special education from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Seton Hall University came in at #12 for special education this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 15 special education students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $61,598. Seton Hall University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for Seton Hall University
Rowan University came in at #13 for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 91 special education students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Rowan University earn around $66,244 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488.
Get the full special education details for Rowan University
Cuny Hunter College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best special education schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 271 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $77,182. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091.
Read more about the special education program at Cuny Hunter College
Montclair State University placed #15 among the best special education schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 34 special education degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $69,017 early in their careers. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for Montclair State University
St Johns University New York placed #16 among the best special education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Queens. St Johns University New York graduates 66% of students within six years. About 41 special education degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $75,441 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete this degree.
Read more about the special education program at St Johns University New York
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #17 for special education this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 34 special education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $65,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #18 for special education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 112 special education degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $77,678 early in their careers. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans.
See the full special education program report for Cuny Brooklyn College
Syracuse University came in at #19 for special education this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 64 special education degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $57,964 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at Syracuse University
University Of Delaware earned the #20 position for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. University Of Delaware awarded about 23 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $59,316 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at University Of Delaware
Marist College came in at #21 for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 39 special education students who graduated with this degree at Marist College in the most recent data year. Special Education graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
Read more about the special education program at Marist College
Hofstra University earned the #22 position for special education this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 special education students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $76,264. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Hofstra University
Rider University placed #23 among the best special education schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Rider University graduates 61% of students within six years. Rider University awarded about 45 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $64,258 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in special education from Rider University
Cuny Queens College came in at #24 for special education this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 65 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $74,496. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Cuny Queens College
Touro College earned the #25 position for special education this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 753 special education students who graduated with this degree at Touro College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $66,800 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete this degree.
Get the full special education details for Touro College
Rest of the Top 50 Special Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s special education ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 106 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.